Summer Night Markets in Vancouver, BC

Traditional night markets are popular in this western Canada city

Night markets are a summer tradition in Vancouver drawing crowds of thousands of people, locals and tourists alike, every weekend. Generally open from mid-May through September, these night markets feature hundreds of vendors, with dozens of food stalls or food trucks offering a variety of international and entertainment.

There are three major summer night markets in Metro Vancouver: the Richmond Night Market, the Illumination Night Market), and the Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver. Use this Guide to Summer Night Markets in Vancouver to compare the night markets and get all the must-have info before your visit.

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Richmond Night Market

Richmond (the city just south of Vancouver) has long been home to the biggest summer night market in the Lower Mainland. In 2012, it became home to two of the biggest night markets, one of which is the Richmond Night Market, located on the waterfront near the River Rock Casino.

The Richmond Night Market features over 80 food stalls and 200+ vendors. Like the other night market in Richmond (the International Summer Night Market, see below), it attracts thousands every weekend and is a huge, fun, sprawling delight. But it is unique, too, in several ways: it is accessible via Canada Line and it has a few amusement park rides and a zip line (making it a bit more fun for kids).

When: 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, May 12 to October 9, 2017 Where: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BCAdmission: $3.75; free for seniors and kids under 10 .

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Illumination Night Market

••• Courtesy of Illumination Summer Night Market

The Illumination Night Market is Richmond's other enormous night market; this one is located on Vulcan Way (or, as locals say, "behind the Home Depot"). Like the other night market in Richmond, there are hundreds of vendors here, including the usual array of inexpensive goods, plus some live entertainment. But the Illumination Night Market (formerly the Panda Night Market) sets itself apart from the others in one significant way: the food. This market is a foodie favorite, featuring everything from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean fare to Western fairground wares like snow-cones and "hurricane" potatoes.

When: Fridays and Saturdays 7 pm to midnight, Sundays 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. from May 5 to September 10.Where: 12631 Vulcan Way, Richmond, BCAdmission: $3 for general admission

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Shipyards Night Market in North Vancouver

••• Courtesy of Northshore Green Markets

North Vancouver's Shipyards Night Market has more of a farmers-market-at-night atmosphere than the night markets in Richmond. At the ​Shipyards Night Market, there are dozens of food trucks, live music, a beer garden, and local products for sale from BC artisans, bakers, and farmers, including jewelry, clothing, plants, produce, and organic meats.

When: Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 5 to September 29, 2017Where: 15 Wallace Mews Road, North Vancouver